Pneumotympanic vibrator



Jan. 30, 1934. F. E. LESTER PNEUMOTYMPANIC VIBRATOR Filed Sepe.

BYHER ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1934 UNITED STATES PNEUMOTYMPANIG VIBRATOR Frances E. Lester, New York, N. Y.

Application September 21, 1931 Serial No. 564,045

2 Claims.

The invention relates to pneumatic vibrators and more particularly to vibrators for vibrating or massaging the tympanum and other parts of the ear. It has for its main object to provide a vibrator which will cause rapid vibration and which will greatly increase the number of vibrations which would ordinarily be caused by the manipulation of the bulb with which the instrument is provided and by means of which it is actuated.

Another object is to provide a vibrator in which the effective air pressure can not raise above a certain point, thus avoiding all danger of excessive pressure on the ear drum or other parts being 15. treated, and in which the pressure, as it is ap plied, will be cushioned at the ends of each stroke so as to revert gently from positive to negative pressures, and vice versa.

A further object is to provide an instrument of simple and rugged construction in which but few, and practically indestructible, parts are employed and which will require no skill to manipulate. A still further object is to provide a vibrator which can be manufactured at a comparatively low price.

These and various other objects and advantages will be readily understood from the following description and from the accompanying drawing of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which, however, modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the vibrator, and

Fig. 2 a cross-sectional side elevation of the member containing the vibrating mechanism.

The vibrating mechanism is contained in a tubular member which is internally threaded at both ends. The lower, or distal, end of the tube is provided with a nipple 11 and the upper, or proximal, end with a nipple 12. These nipples fit tightly in the tube. The distal nipple is connected by a rubber tube 13 to a rubber bulb 14 of the standard type, while the proximal nipple is connected by a rubber tube 15 to a meatal tip 16. This tip is preferably covered with a soft rubber sleeve 17 to occlude the external meatus and to prevent discomfort to the patient.

The vibrating mechanism consists of a piston 18 and two compression springs 19 and 20. The lower end of the piston is counterbored at 21 and a tube 22 is located concentrically in the counterbored recess. The lower spring is guided on this tube. The upper face of the piston is provided with a stud 23 which centers the upper spring. The springs are ofdifferent pitches and lengths so that their resiliencies diifer.

The instrument works in the following manner. The meatal tip 16 is inserted in the ear of the patient and the bulb is compressed. This forces the air from the bulb into the tubular member and lifts the piston against the compression of the upper spring, thus forcing the air above the piston against the tympanum of the patient. The lower spring, while stretching, 66 follows the piston in its upward movement. As the force of the air is finally dissipated by lifting the piston and compressing the upper spring, the upper spring forces the piston downward and compresses the lower spring. When the down- 70 ward force of the upper spring is dissipated, the lower spring, which is now compressed, again lifts the piston and compresses the upper spring. The reciprocations continue, with a gradual diminution in the lengths of the reciprocations, 15 until the piston finally comes to rest.

It is evident that without the springs the piston will only reciprocate when the bulb is compressed, while with the springs each manipulation of the bulb causes a number of reciprocations. In practice I have found that one ordinary compression of the bulb will cause at least thirty reciprocations of the piston. By the proper manipulation of the bulb continuous reciprocation of the piston may be produced. However, it will be noted that the reciprocations, and therefore the vibrations set up, will not be rhythmic. This is very important from a therapeutic standpoint. It will also be noted that the piston is cushioned at each end of its stroke so that no abrupt reversal takes place.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have succeeded in perfecting a vibrator of simple and reliable construction which, owing to its safe operation, may safely be used by a patient personally when its use is recommended by a physician.

Having described the invention and its ad-' vantages, what I claim as new and wish to pro,- tect by Letters Patent is: 100

1. A pneumotympanic vibrator comprising a vertical cylinder having caps at each end; nipples associated with said caps; a flexible air bulb connected to the distal nipple; a meatal tip connected to the proximal nipple; a piston mounted 1 0 in the cylinder and operated by pressing. and releasing said air bulb; the meatal tip air-tightly insertable in the ear of a patient; and. compression springs, contained in the cylinder and abutting against each end of the piston, for causing 110 extra reciprocations of the piston in addition to those imparted to it by the manipulations of the air bulb so as to cause a number of rarifications and condensations of the air in the ear during each manipulation of the air bulb.

2. A pneumotympanic vibrator comprising a vertical cylinder having caps at each end; nipples associated with said caps; a flexible air bulb connected to the distal nipple; a meatal tip connected to the proximal nipple; a piston mounted in the cylinder and operated by pressing and releasing said air bulb; the meatal tip air-tightly insertable in the ear of a patient; and compres- 

